HR Adviser (Dubai) - Dubai Operations - 106715 - Grade 6 in Birmingham

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Position Details

• Location: Dubai, UAE
• Discipline: Executive Office
• Campus: University of Birmingham, Dubai campus
• Salary: Competitive
• Grade: 6
• No. of positions: 1
• Type: Full time
• Duration: 3‑year fixed contract (renewable at the University’s discretion)
• Closing date: 4th December 2025

Background

The University of Birmingham has established a campus in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 and moved to a new state‑of‑the‑art campus in September 2021. The department continues to grow, offering an excellent opportunity to contribute to a strategic mission across Dubai, the UAE and broader region.

Professional Services Ethos

• Collaborate to meet campus community and stakeholder needs.
• Provide flexible, responsive support as the campus expands.
• Engage consistently during key academic cycle points – for example, welcome or graduation.
• Maintain a portfolio of adaptable skills, a creative mindset and an entrepreneurial spirit to support growth.

Role Summary

Provide HR advice, support and guidance to managers and teams across Dubai and the Edgbaston campus, while managing a significant HR administrative portfolio. Highly organised administrative skills complement advisory duties, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy and excellence of service.

Role and Responsibilities

General

• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion as a role model and foster an inclusive culture.
• Monitor and evaluate equality, diversity and inclusion; challenge unacceptable behaviours.
• Undertake continuous personal and professional development.

HR Advice and Support

• Provide timely advice on University policy and procedures (performance, sickness, occupational health, conduct, discipline, grievance, probation, AWOL).
• Collaborate with Employee Relations and HR Business Partners to manage employee relations issues.
• Serve as focal point for cross‑campus HR matters, ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Investigate, resolve issues and coach managers, including redundancy consultation where required.
• Stay current with UAE Labour Law and immigration requirements; advise on compliance.
• Offer support for campus wellbeing initiatives and contribute to the University’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion networks.
• Collect and analyse data to support management and budgeting.
• Coach managers on processes and ownership.
• Help develop tools to aid staff management.

HR Administration

• Respond to general and complex administrative queries.
• Provide support across the employee lifecycle: onboarding, offboarding.
• Maintain accurate digital records of employee personal data under the Data Protection Act.
• Coordinate with external providers for payroll and medical insurance.
• Prepare and issue correspondence such as salary certificates and employment letters.
• Submit required government reports to KHDA and MoHESR.
• Oversee occupational health for staff and student training groups.
• Process visa applications for staff and students via the AXS Immigration Portal.
• Maintain monthly visa processing reports.

Other

• Review processes, recommend improvements and share best practices.
• Prioritise and manage workloads collaboratively with manager and colleagues.
• Participate in HR system testing and maximisation.
• Attend team meetings, 1‑1s and performance reviews.
• Develop own professional skills through continual development.
• Plan and execute own workload, ensuring timely completion and customer expectations.
• Ensure accurate data capture in HR systems.
• Champion University core values through policy application.
• Undertake training and additional responsibilities as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Degree level qualification or equivalent.
• CIPD Level 5 qualified and experience in a similar role, or substantial practical experience.
• Strong understanding and application of policies and systems.
• Confident communication with senior university members and all staff levels.
• Ability to recommend and implement improvements.
• Excellent service ethos and customer service experience.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, relationship building and influencing skills.
• Organisational and multi‑tasking skills with a methodical approach.
• Proficient IT skills, especially MS Office, and adaptability to new packages.
• Teamworking skills across organisational levels.
• Track record of integration into busy, diverse teams.
• Knowledge of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics and inclusive practice.

Dimensions

Advisory role with extensive HR support across the campus, including significant administrative duties.

Planning and Organising

Organise workload, advise managers, and manage multiple actions simultaneously, focusing on service quality and process improvement.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Use initiative within established processes; proactively recommend improvements where possible.

Internal and External Relationships

Develop and maintain good relationships with client managers, colleagues, and rely on knowledge for advice, support and guidance.

In return, you will receive a competitive package and play a key role in the University’s expansion and global reputation. We are committed to diversity, inclusion and sustainability as part of our strategy.